Wordless Wednesday

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Cracking on

​today has been a productive day 

I’ve been online and through

Door dash

I’ve done an Aldi shop

And a woolies shop. 

One load of washing was brought in. 

I’ve got it here to fold and put away, but Trixie has decided it makes an excellent bed 

Two loads of washing done and hung out to dry. 

Cooking two, tiropita  

Three cheese pies 

And sticky chicken wings. 

I have never tried cooking them like this. 

Hubby cooks them on the BBQ during the summer. During the winter I cook them in the oven 

Unfortunately, as you know, the oven is busy. That’s why the big idea for f using the electric pan. 

And I’m still working on this. 

Since the break, while crocheting, my calluses have softened. 

I’m busy building them up again 

I wonder what I’ll do tomorrow 

Weekend report

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The weather this weekend has been very different to what we have been experiencing for weeks now. 

We got a few drops of rain, we had a few shower but mainly it’s been very humid 

These are my windows right now 

I do not do humid at all. Which means I’ve been inside almost all weekend. I went out to feed the animals, hang washing, although I don’t know why I bothered. They’re not dry and smell musty. I’m going to rewash that load and then hang them in here. 

The ugly blanket is finished. I’m glad I made it bigger. It’s a perfect size for three little girls to snuggle under. 

For now I’m back onto the EPP. 

I finished getting all the hexies ready and have begun sewing them onto the blanket. 

That’s pretty much the extent of my endeavours 

Hubby mowed the lawns 

And continued filling the metal crates with fire wood. 

Our motto these days is definitely 

Slow and steady. 

Friday fun day

My two cherubs sitting in the “ nest” Ana made 

When her girls are here, that’s what she calls Melody and Brianna, they make this big nest and settle in to watch TV 

Looks like Georgia is being trained for future fun days 

Even Trixie snuggled in 

Trixie had her spa day today. She knows when the extension cord is set up her personal hairdresser is coming. 

She sat like that for over five minutes and went crazy trying to get to the lovely Maria. 

She has been coming her since Teddy was a puppy. That’s 15 years! 

Georgia is learning to sit. I don’t leave her as she still falls. 

In the afternoon grandpa came home to play with Ana. Ana actually asked me to ring him, he was already coming over once he got home and delivered the auto parts to the boys 

In the late afternoon Georgia had a big sleep in grandma’s arms. Every time I started to move she opened her eyes. She even grabbed the front of my top. She really didn’t want to be put down. 

I can confess it wasn’t a terrible thing. I love holding them when they sleep. I’m pretty sure I had a few cat naps while holding her. I was positioned in a way she couldn’t fall. 

Meanwhile Ana sat on the couch and became very quiet. She too had fallen asleep 

After grandpa got her into a more comfortable position, he lay on the floor to look at his IPad. 

Even he fell  asleep and As always Trixie was fast asleep in her bed. 

It suddenly became very quiet here. 

Daddy arrived to take Ana to her swimming lessons and not long after that mummy arrived to take Georgia home. 

This is going to be the routine every Friday. Ana leaving first with dad 

And the mummy comes straight here after work to collect her baby girl 

It will help dad with getting Ana dressed after her lesson 

And let’s face it. More time for baby cuddles 

Changing my mind

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I decided to keep going with Leann’s blanket. 

The only stipulation was, she wanted it ugly. 

I had made her one  with our football 

Colours. Her son subsequently “ stole” it 

So she said she wanted to make an ugly one no one would want to take 

I didn’t really have “ ugly” yarn. I’m pretty sure that’s why I put it away. Until I got some yarn to finish it. 

I found some. 

So I’m continuing with it. 

Meanwhile, this is my “practice piece” for crocheting tartan. 

Since I decided to give it to the girls as. Baby blanket for the doll, I just sewed in the ends and it’s in the girls room 

So that’s the plan. 

Unless of course I change my mind again 

Keeping busy

​I’ve decided that I’m watching to many reports of heinous crimes committed by deranged demons. 

I took more of those jellies last night and even though it made me sleepy, I kept waking up suddenly as if I heard something frightening 

I know we need to know what’s going on. That we need to shout from the rooftops that this is not to be borne 

I feel like  I’m abandoning those victims. They didn’t have the choice to just stop seeing or thinking about it. 

So I won’t. Not totally. I’m m just going to spend only a little each day finding out the latest news. And then switch off. 

This is where crafting is very useful indeed 

It’s a very hot and windy day. We are all in high alert for fires. We have a total fire ban today. 

NO FIRES ALLOWED 

I woke up. Fed everyone who hubby hadn’t feed stripped the bed and got the sheet in the line 

I then went into my craft room. 

No radio

No music 

And no audiobooks 

Just me and the sound of my sewing machine 

I continued working on the bag 

After a couple of hours this is what I achieved 

It doesn’t look like much, but, believe me it was very time consuming. 

Reading the instructions was a no go. 

I’m not good with written instructions at the best of times. I prefer pictures. 

But these were particularly bad. 

So I just looked at the few pictures they had and just worked it out. 

Attaching that pocket was a fiddly, hot flush inducing hour of torture. 

Surprisingly I did not get flustered and I did not swear at it. 

I just kept going. 

I know. I’m shocked too 

It started to get hot in the house so I’ve pulled down the blinds, turned on the AC and after bringing in the sheets I’m sitting. 

The current WIP I’m finishing is another granny blanket 

I think I’ll just finish the row I’m on and it will be done. 

There is one more granny square blanket and I’ll tackle that next. 

It’s an easy and meditative process, allowing me to watch telly while I work. 

That’s pretty much it. I hope you’re looking after your mental health. Taking a time out is sometimes very needed. 

Going on

​the last five days have been hectic. Well for me anyway. 

Friday the girls and dinner with friends 

Saturday sleep in. I haven’t been sleeping lately. I needed a sleep in badly. I had to give art a miss. It couldn’t be helped. 

So because big brother is always lurking I got bombarded with adds for sleeping aids 

I got this one. It’s all natural and I even know some of the ingredients, like Valerian root. I know that’s good for sleep. 

I took it for the first time last night. And for the first time in a very long time I was in bed and asleep before midnight 

Now even if it’s the placebo affect I don’t care. It worked. So please don’t burst my bubble. 

Sunday was a day of  domesticity 

I carried out inside chores while hubby went outside 

He is starting on the firewood supply 

We have quite a bit, but it needs chopping and splitting. 

All those crates will be filled and one at a time he will bring them next to the house for us to easily access them. 

I on the other hand, along with general inside stuff, decided to patch hubbys work pants. 

He is really hard on his clothes. So mending them helps keep shopping trips down. It’s not me. I don’t mind shopping. But you know men. Apparently it’s torture and very painful 

I found some iron on patches in a mixed bag of supplies someone had given me 

I cut to size and ironed them in. Now I don’t know why, maybe they’re just too old, they didn’t stick. 

I decided to hand stitch around them for now. I’ve been online and ordered new ones. Hopefully they’ll be here soon and I can try again 

And today, after a much better nights sleep, spent some time clearing my work table in the craft room

Now I know I said I wasn’t going to start a new project until I had finished the WIP’s I had. 

Well obviously i meant yarn projects. I only have one sewing project so I’m entitled to have at least another one going too. Right?

I got this pattern a while ago. I wanted to make it from the wool blanket off cuts 

Here all the pieces are cut and ready to sew together. 

I’m going using up a few cream pieces of the wool for the bag and  

Some cream, or off white cotton scraps for the lining 

I’ve even cut the interfacing   

All are clipped together with the pattern piece 

This is definitely my “practice “ bag. 

I hope to “ iron out” all the issues I will come across and learn from them 

If the bag is a disaster it will simple become a “ dress up” bag for the girls 

So that’s it. Your up to date 

After being busy all morning I’m going to sit down, watch episodes of the great sewing bee and game of wool. All while continuing with the blanket on currently finishing off. It’s almost as big as I want it. 

Then I’ll start on another blanket that half done. 

See I am getting through them. Soon I’ll be back to the EPP. 

Stay safe wherever you are, the worlds weather is kinda crazy right now 

Melody

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Friday was melody’s 10th birthday 

It’s gone way to fast for grandmas liking

She had a friends birthday during the day and then a family birthday in the late afternoon 

In just a few short years there have been so many babies born. 

Family and friends coming year after year each time bringing more and more children 

And it’s a wonderful thing. 

To Melody. The first. The one who made me a grandmother. What a beautiful kind and thoughtful girl you have grown to be. 

I hope to see you grow into the woman that we can see is coming. 

But if  not. I know that you will succeed in whatever you choose to be. 

I’m already so very proud of you 

Happy birthday our beautiful girl  thank you for the joy you have brought into our lives 

Apple cart.

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This happy smiley little girl has definitely disturbed the apple cart. 

I was sitting on the floor, I know bad idea, when I was surrounded 

Annie sat on my left grabbing my arm and putting it around her shoulders 

On my right I felt a little tap, Tap, tap. 

It was Trixie. She pushed her head through between my arm and my  body 

So there I was surrounded 

I eventually had to get up, get a bottle sorted, and after changing Georgia, I sat down to feed her 

The other two sat on the couch together, feeling sorry for themselves 

Ana just kept her eyes on the television while I got sad looks from Trixie 

When this cutie fell asleep I put her into the cot and gave the other two lots of attention 

When daddy arrived they both sat with him and fell asleep 

I was definitely in the bad book  

Thankfully not for long  Ana came over, climbed onto my lap and was going back to sleep. she couldn’t because they had to go home , get ready, and go to swimming lessons 

Grandpa and grandma then went to have dinner with friends, leaving poor Trixie on her own  

I’m finally home and Trixie is sleeping soundly on my legs  

I think I’ve been forgiven  

Rest

​this week has been a busy one 

I’ve left the house every day. It’s typical. I have nothing for weeks then all of a suddenly it’s appointments and meet ups all one after the other. 

Thankfully I was able to stay home today. 

I had too, after waiting for six weeks, my sofa beds were delivered 

They’re very well wrapped so I just asked the delivery men to leave them out here. 

Hubby will come over with the truck and load them straight in. 

When we get a few days without any errands, we can take them up to the farm. 

Today the weather has been quite a bit cooler. I’ve spent the day catching up with housework and washing. 

All the while crocheting. 

It’s growing quickly.

I’ve kinda stopped organising the top of the cupboard, not only because I’ve not spent much time at home, but also because I really need to finish these WIP’s before discovering more 

I’m afraid of how many more I have hidden up there 

Girls room

​the girls room needed to be organised and vacuumed 

Now school is back I won’t have four girls all the same time as often 

I was waiting on a delivery from Timu to arrive before I proceeded 

I’m sure you have all seen the soft toy cylinder storage tower. 

It takes up so little room, yet holds lots of soft toys 

As you can see there is lots more floor space now. Meaning the girls might stay  here rather than setting up camp in the craft room 

I’m still tweaking my granny chair area. 

I’ve one more item to get and I should be all set up. 

It’s only by sitting here that you realise what it is you need and what doesn’t work 

Stay tuned 

Routine

​this week was a much happier one. We are starting to get into a routine. 

I got up early to get things sorted 

As you can tell. It was still dark outside. 

I was up very early 

This was the only way I could look after Georgia and play with Ana. 

Eventually Georgia had a bottle and went to sleep 

I helped Ana colour the last of the wooden animals. She was very proud of this one.  I had to take a photo and send it to mummy 

Georgia woke after about an hour and was grumpy. It didn’t help that Ana was hanging onto my arm while I was dealing with the baby. 

Today she really tried to keep my attention on her. 

Obviously I can’t do that. I messaged grandpa and asked home to come and keep Ana happy while i deal with the baby. 

Ana was happy with grandpa. And he took her to the shed where they had adventures with him and her daddy 

Apparently she learnt to ride a buggy. She apparently liked to go really fast! 

Meanwhile I fed Georgia almost a whole pouch of apricot and pear mash. 

And then a full bottle of milk. 

She went to bed and slept for almost four hours 

She’s learned to roll. I had her on her back. By the time she woke up she was sleeping on her belly. 

By the time I put her down, Ana was back and wanted cuddles with grandma 

She then fell asleep 

She slept for just under three hours. 

Her mummy said she was coming down with something so a sleep was probably the best thing for her. 

After clearing up. I was able to sit quietly and crochet 

This is slowly getting bigger. 

When Georgia woke, she was so happy. 

I changed her and gave her to grandpa to hold while I got her bottle ready 

He was happy to feed her giving me a longer rest 

By the time she had finished her parents were here to pick them up. 

Ana woke when she heard her parents and looked very refreshed 

Now I’m home all alone.

I started watching Poldark last night and I’m now watching episode four  

It’s definitely grabbed my attention 

On today’s menu

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Banana bread, I had four very ripe bananas. I’m sure the boys at the shed will appreciate them 

Chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce. 

The mushrooms were bought not harvested from the wild. 

If you know. You know haha 

Roasted veggies 

Potatoes 

Pumpkin 

Carrots 

And a large onion. 

Hubby loves them 

Another very warm day. 

A good day to stay inside and crochet 

Busy day out

​this morning I set the alarm to 6.30. 

This gave me enough time to get things done and to get ready to leave the house 

First stop was meeting the girls at eight for a coffee at the shopping centre 

After coffee the other two went off to do their grocery shopping, while I left to go and see my mother. It’s her birthday today 83. I think   

Thankfully the traffic was light and I had a stress free drive. 

I got there to see her sitting with her new best friend, watching a man singing popular songs from the fifties and sixties 

Three times she told me that they knew it was her birthday and asked how did they know. 

I just gave the same answer and I didn’t tell her I already told her. 

We looked at photos of the girls. Four times. She kept asking if I had any photos 

And twice I had to tell her about the saga of hubby and the rooster 

After having a little of her birthday cake, thankfully we didn’t have to sing. I left to come home. 

I stopped at Aldi to check out the specials isle. 

They had packs of two pillows for $15 dollars. 

I needed eight pillows for the farm house   I got four pairs. I think it was a good price. I don’t know how great they are but since you’re only going to sleep one or two nights at a time I’m sure they’re fine. 

Otherwise they can bring their own from home 

This is the, all these have to go into the car to take to the farm next time we go, pile 

The spotted bag has quilts I made using the tea towels from my travels and 

The blanket I just finished from my WIP pile 

One down three to go. 

For now anyway. 

This is the second WIP I’m doing now 

The box has three fluffy rugs for the floors 

In the corner there’s a bag of excess plates and the black bag has another quilt and a crochet blanket 

The box in the back is a coffee table like the one I now use by my seat 

In years gone past. I never used paper towels or napkins. I used towels that I washed and reused. 

For some reason for the last few years we have been buying paper towels 

Aldi had packs of four cloth napkins for $5.99. 

I  got a few packs,  I’ll soak and wash these as they get  used. 

Ive washed them all and once dry I’ll iron them and put them away 

I’m now sitting and thinking about what to make for dinner. 

It will definitely be something easy 

Resolutions

​Because you have inspired me to clean and organise, I decided to work on a specific spot in the craft room 

It’s where bags of stuff get thrown and then forgotten about 

As you can see. It’s bedlam up there 

I’ve  only just begun, and I’ve found four WIP’s. 

My resolution this year is to finish them all. 

These are two what  I found yesterday 

Today’s two are a simple granny square blanket, which Leanne started and said I had to finish after she passes  

This year it will be 12 years since she left  

Yeah well she didn’t give me a  time frame lol  I’m sure she’s  is looking at me shaking her head and laughing  

The other is a crochet tartan blanket

I started to practice the technique  

That will be easy to finish and I’ll put it in the the girls room for a dolls blanket 

I’m a tad worried about continuing  

Who knows how many more I’ll find

Oh well  it needs to be done and I’ll deal with the consequences what ever they are  

Winter is shaping up to be a busy crafting one